Docking It

Saloni Sakaria, 25, hopes to offer affordability with substantiality, in her love affair with the label, Third Floor

By Asmita Aggarwal

It was a 150-year-old warehouse, in Colaba, Mumbai, where ships used to offload cotton yarn, with a high ceiling and 1,850 square feet of vintage space, offering huge glass windows and grand space that will instantly take you back in time. The beauty lies in the fact that it has not been meddled with expect a fresh coat of paint. Though the approach is arduous, with no lift, sometimes no phone service, that has been converted into a store on the third floor of the magnificent building that stands as a testament to times when business was booming.

It became the epicentre, of Saloni Sakaria’s label titled Third Floor, in a space owned by Manish Doshi, for 40 years. His only condition was that it must be given to a clothing brand with a conscience. “We made our weakness into our strength by calling it so, and the label is in keeping with just that. Straight cuts, neat tailoring and lots of layering,” she says.

After studying fashion design from Sophia Polytechnic, Mumbai, Saloni launched her brand, this September, despite the fact that no one from her family ever ventured into this tricky trade. The daughter of a Marwari Gujarati businessman, the lessons taught in college about sustainability and going organic stayed with her. This became the fulcrum of her Third Floor and Saloni, uses only textiles, from linens, silks, organza to tussars and Chanderi. “We hope to include khadi and cotton soon along with a menswear line,” she adds.

Starting the label was a big step for a 25-year-old, who was just experimenting, but she did find her niche, in long jackets, A line dresses and roomy pants. “I want to reach out to as many women as possible, so I knew I had to be affordable. Plus, everything has happened so quickly that I am still grappling with the details, there is so much to learn and I think this AIFW will offer that stimulus,” she concludes.